My artist: Alex Webb
Photo Critique: Alex Webb’s “Havana, Cuba, 1993”
In “Havana, Cuba, 1993”, Alex Webb masterfully captures the vibrant yet layered atmosphere of a street scene in Cuba. His signature use of color and complex composition draws the viewer into a world brimming with narrative possibilities. The interplay of natural light and shadow adds a cinematic depth, while the framing layers multiple planes of action—people, architecture, and textures—into a cohesive yet dynamic visual story. Each element contributes to the sense of place, from the faded walls to the expressions and gestures of the figures, reflecting the vibrancy and subtle melancholy of everyday life in Havana.
Webb’s ability to balance chaos and order, using color as both a unifying and narrative element, makes this photograph an inspiration for my project. His work demonstrates how texture, light, and the juxtaposition of human activity can reveal the soul of a location.
Statement of Intent:
Project Title:
“Echoes of Time: Layers of the Hutongs”
Concept/Story:
Inspired by Alex Webb’s ability to weave multiple stories into a single frame, this project will capture the layered, intimate life of Beijing’s hutongs. I aim to emphasize the coexistence of old and new, reflecting the rich cultural history and evolving identity of these narrow alleys. Webb’s use of vibrant color, natural light, and intricate compositions will guide me in documenting the interplay of tradition and modernity in these historic spaces.
Audience Emotions:
I want viewers to feel immersed in the textures, colors, and life of the hutongs. Through layered compositions, they should experience the vitality of these spaces while sensing the weight of history embedded in their walls and alleys. The goal is to evoke curiosity, nostalgia, and appreciation for the delicate balance between preservation and change.
Inspiration and Idea Development:
I will explore Webb’s techniques of color harmony, layered compositions, and natural light to capture the intimate, bustling environment of the hutongs. His ability to make every inch of the frame purposeful—balancing foreground, midground, and background—is central to my approach. I will also focus on creating narratives within the photographs by incorporating both human activity and architectural details.
Mood Board:
My mood board will include:
- Webb’s work, particularly images from Latin America that emphasize vibrant colors and intricate layers.
- Textures and patterns of aging materials, such as brick walls, wooden doors, and tiled roofs.
- Photographs of narrow streets and enclosed spaces with dynamic interplay of light and shadow.
- Images that juxtapose human activity against static architectural elements to highlight contrast and coexistence.
This approach will help shape a cohesive project that captures the hutongs’ timeless yet evolving essence, translating Webb’s visual storytelling into the unique cultural context of Beijing.
Yellow Photos
All includes people, mostly positioned right in the middle of the photo.
Green Photos
All are photos that pictures a person/people in the middle of the photo, color tone is often warm.
Red Photos
Evaluation of photo L1080627:
In this photo, two grown men stand out, the color tone is black and white, and is tend to give out a nostalgic feeling to people who sees this. It makes us create a story, of two good friends chilling with each other during a regular autumn afternoon in Beijing during the 1980s. When we close our eyes, it’s like we are in the photo, listening to the squeaks of birds, the sound of the soft breeze, those chatters from other people, some far and some close, and the ringing bells of bikes. The picture should give out a peaceful feeling, while making us think deeper, into the fields of enjoying and remembering these moments that seems to be regular at that time, but very nostalgic, and precious afterwards when we think of it. The emotions on their faces are also captured differently, the man on the left side seems to be very talkative, from his eyes, we can clearly see the desire of chatting with someone, and the smile on his face shows that he is enjoying this moment. The man on the rightside is closing his eyes, like he’s listening to all the sound around him, almost like meditating. The emotions, and his gestures all are telling us he is enjoying this peaceful moment very much.
